Unnecessary Force

A woman is suing Christchurch police for $150,000 after an officer allegedly used boltcutters to remove her piercings. Lawyer Tony Greig said the woman, believed to be in her thirties, was arrested for obstruction in mid-2008. Greig said the woman alleged five of her piercings, including one in her genital area, were removed using boltcutters after she was taken into custody. The woman was acquitted of the obstruction charge in early 2009.